Last night, we turned our clocks back an hour to end daylight saving time. Does it hurt your sleep? You bet. Your body operates on a natural sleep-wake cycle called your circadian rhythm. Any time this gets disturbed, your sleep can suffer, making you more tired and less alert.
HALEO has developed a virtual Sleep Clinic that Delivers professional treatment for insomnia and poor sleep without setting foot in a clinic and taking time off work.
For a 1-hour time change, it typically takes your body about a day to adjust. But researchers have found that some individual’s bodies may take months to fully adjust.
Here’s three tips on how to minimize the impact of the Daylight-Savings switch on your sleep.
Adjust Your Sleeping Environment:
Your bedroom should be a peaceful place. Body temperature drops at night (which is part of your “circadian rhythms”) which promotes sleep. Keep your bedroom a little cooler than the rest of the house. Make sure your bed and linens are comfortable, the bedroom is soundproof and dark enough to promote the secretion of melatonin. Don’t be afraid to take the time to make some cosmetic changes; if you like space, you will spend a lot of time there!
Don’t Work In Your Bedroom
A distinction between the space you sleep in and the space you work in is necessary, especially if you have trouble sleeping. Don’t use your bed for work! Instead, find a “peaceful environment”. The past year has brought household changes for many people; if you have no choice and need to work in your bedroom, limit the space and set up your desk away from the bed.
Avoid These Things A Few Hours Before Bed
Avoid screens, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine before going to bed. Whenever possible take a screen break at least an hour before going to bed.
Some interesting figures:
– Over 50% of Canadians currently have symptoms of insomnia.
– A person with a sleep disorder will have an average of 10 days of absence per year, and their productivity will be impacted on average 45 days per year.
